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Project Upcycle

Thrifty Sewing Projects

Thrifters unite! Using basic sewing skills and an eagle eye for the good stuff at yard sales, you'll turn cast-off clothes into cute accessories.

It's chic to be cheap! Make funky and fabulous clothes and accessories that honor both the planet and your wallet. Sign up for Project Upcycle and learn the secrets of sustainable style. Betz White shows you how to find the treasures lurking at thrift stores and yard sales, and what to do with them once you find them. You'll learn easy ways to recycle vintage clothes and inexpensive materials into one-of-a-kind designs.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Course Introduction

Betz teaches you about re-purposing and being thrifty at the same time. You will see how easy it is to transform something old into new fashions and accessories.

8:21

Lesson 2. Hunt and Deconstruct

With so much "stuff" in the world, where do you start looking for what you need? Betz guides you to the best places to look for items to repurpose, but also what will and will not work, what to look for, and importantly, what to avoid. You'll also learn how to felt wool sweaters to create an entirely different kind of fabric.

45:27

Lesson 3. Mad Cap

Using a wool skirt or men's wool suit on the outside and a dress shirt as the lining, create this sassy beret, a perfect accessory for fall. You will create a custom pattern to fit your head exactly, then follow the step-by-step instructions to sew the pieces together.

34:17

Lesson 4. Cashmere Shrug

See how easy it is to turn a thrift-store sweater into a playful shrug in a wrap style. Shorten the sleeves and sew a lettuce edging for a frilly look. Finish with a rosette made from the remaining scraps.

32:22

Lesson 5. Off-the-Cuff Wallet

How clever is this wallet? It's made from the cuffs of two dress shirts. The wallet has a pocket to hold the dollar bills you will save by upcycling, and several slots for credit cards, all secured with a Velcro closing and embellished with buttons.

31:55

Lesson 6. Felted Tote Bag

Can a woman ever have too many bags? Create a sturdy tote with a wool sweater from your closet or the thrift store. Use the original construction of the sweater to create the main part of the bag, then add a button flap and pocket with the remaining scraps.

39:10

Lesson 7. Wrap Skirt

Use tea towels, pillowcases, bed sheets or fabric from your stash to make a gored skirt that's fully lined and reversible. Sew it in three sizes, mixing and matching fabrics for a wonderful addition to your wardrobe.

"I loved everything about this class. The way, the pace, the clarity and absence of useless chattiness in which this lovely teacher teaches us, the fun projects, the reasonable background idea of upcycling in general." - saramuGermany

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Lesson plan

2:24

Lesson 1. Course Introduction

Betz teaches you about re-purposing and being thrifty at the same time. You will see how easy it is to transform something old into new fashions and accessories.

8:21

Lesson 2. Hunt and Deconstruct

With so much "stuff" in the world, where do you start looking for what you need? Betz guides you to the best places to look for items to repurpose, but also what will and will not work, what to look for, and importantly, what to avoid. You'll also learn how to felt wool sweaters to create an entirely different kind of fabric.

45:27

Lesson 3. Mad Cap

Using a wool skirt or men's wool suit on the outside and a dress shirt as the lining, create this sassy beret, a perfect accessory for fall. You will create a custom pattern to fit your head exactly, then follow the step-by-step instructions to sew the pieces together.

34:17

Lesson 4. Cashmere Shrug

See how easy it is to turn a thrift-store sweater into a playful shrug in a wrap style. Shorten the sleeves and sew a lettuce edging for a frilly look. Finish with a rosette made from the remaining scraps.

32:22

Lesson 5. Off-the-Cuff Wallet

How clever is this wallet? It's made from the cuffs of two dress shirts. The wallet has a pocket to hold the dollar bills you will save by upcycling, and several slots for credit cards, all secured with a Velcro closing and embellished with buttons.

31:55

Lesson 6. Felted Tote Bag

Can a woman ever have too many bags? Create a sturdy tote with a wool sweater from your closet or the thrift store. Use the original construction of the sweater to create the main part of the bag, then add a button flap and pocket with the remaining scraps.

39:10

Lesson 7. Wrap Skirt

Use tea towels, pillowcases, bed sheets or fabric from your stash to make a gored skirt that's fully lined and reversible. Sew it in three sizes, mixing and matching fabrics for a wonderful addition to your wardrobe.

The instructor

Betz White, Instructor of Project Upcycle

Betz White has built a career on thoughtful design, skilled craftsmanship and a focus on Earth-friendly materials. She is a graduate in fashion design from the University of Cincinnati, a former children’s wear designer and the bestselling author of Warm Fuzzies, Sewing Green and Present Perfect: 25 Gifts to Sew & Bestow. Betz has been featured on Martha Stewart’s television show as well as on the cover of Craft magazine and on numerous craft podcasts. Her bold aesthetic combined with her education in apparel design result in a unique offering of patterns and projects for the modern sewer.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(41 reviews)

Wonderful Class

by Joansmith18 on May 11, 2015

This is a great class for beginners new to sewing. The instructions are east to follow. I love the idea of upcycling. I made some fantastic projects that did not cost me a lot in material. I highly recommend this class.

This is a great class for beginners new to sewing. The instructions are east to follow. I love the idea of upcycling. I made some fantastic projects that did not cost me a lot in material. I highly recommend this class.

Brilliant

by Nessa P on April 24, 2015

I am about to attempt the wrap skirt. I had queries on making the garment posted a question and received the answer from Bez the tutor within 24 hours bearing in mind I live in the UK.I have sold Craftsy to a few friends and family and in particular Project Upcycle.

I am about to attempt the wrap skirt. I had queries on making the garment posted a question and received the answer from Bez the tutor within 24 hours bearing in mind I live in the UK.I have sold Craftsy to a few friends and family and in particular Project Upcycle.

Recycling Is Now Fun

by Isarharu on March 2, 2015

Great ideas. So practical, easy and innovative. Betz, thank you so much

Great ideas. So practical, easy and innovative. Betz, thank you so much

Awesome Class

by rosqui on December 27, 2014

I love this class. It was given to me as a Christmas gift by my sister. I have a closet full clothes I don't use. The fabrics are wonderful and can be used to make lots of things for kids, myself & other members of the family... What great ideas...

I love this class. It was given to me as a Christmas gift by my sister. I have a closet full clothes I don't use. The fabrics are wonderful and can be used to make lots of things for kids, myself & other members of the family... What great ideas...

This Is So Inspiring

by oasis03 on December 20, 2014

The possibilities of reusing fabric in a creative and fun way seem to be endless! Thank you Craftsy for a fantastic course that anyone with a sewing machine and basic sewing skills will certainly enjoy!

The possibilities of reusing fabric in a creative and fun way seem to be endless! Thank you Craftsy for a fantastic course that anyone with a sewing machine and basic sewing skills will certainly enjoy!